Livestock phenomics and genetic evaluation approaches in Africa: current state and future perspectives (original) (raw)
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Livestock Genomics for Developing Countries – African Examples in Practice
Frontiers in Genetics
African livestock breeds are numerous and diverse, and typically well adapted to the harsh environment conditions under which they perform. They have been used over centuries to provide livelihoods as well as food and nutritional security. However, African livestock systems are dynamic, with many small-and medium-scale systems transforming, to varying degrees, to become more profitable. In these systems the women and men livestock keepers are often seeking new livestock breeds or genotypes-typically those that increase household income through having enhanced productivity in comparison to traditional breeds while maintaining adaptedness. In recent years genomic approaches have started to be utilized in the identification and development of such breeds, and in this article we describe a number of examples to this end from sub-Saharan Africa. These comprise case studies on: (a) dairy cattle in Kenya and Senegal, as well as sheep in Ethiopia, where genomic approaches aided the identification of the most appropriate breed-type for the local productions systems; (b) a cross-breeding program for dairy cattle in East Africa incorporating genomic selection as well as other applications of genomics; (c) ongoing work toward creating a new cattle breed for East Africa that is both productive and resistant to trypanosomiasis; and (d) the use of African cattle as resource populations to identify genomic variants of economic or ecological significance, including a specific case where the discovery data was from a community based breeding program for small ruminants in Ethiopia. Lessons learnt from the various case studies are highlighted, and the concluding section of the paper gives recommendations for African livestock systems to increasingly capitalize on genomic technologies.
Joint genetic analysis for dairy cattle performance across countries in sub-Saharan Africa
South African Journal of Animal Science, 2020
This study assessed the feasibility of across-country genetic evaluation of dairy cattle in sub-Saharan Africa where data on livestock production are scarce. Genetic parameters were estimated for the 305-day milk yield in the first lactation and across five lactations, for age at first calving and for interval between first and second calving. Estimated breeding values of individual animals for these traits were calculated. There were records from 2 333, 25 208, and 5 929 Holstein cows in Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, and 898 and 65134 Jersey cows from Kenya and South Africa. Genetic gain from sire selection within and across countries. was predicted Genetic links between countries were determined from sires with daughters that had records in two or more countries, and from common ancestral sires across seven generations on both the maternal and paternal sides of the pedigree. Each country was treated as a trait in the across-country evaluation. The results showed that genetic ...
Frontiers in Genetics
South Africa (SA) holds a unique position on the African continent with a rich diversity in terms of available livestock resources, vegetation, climatic regions and cultures. The livestock sector has been characterized by a dual system of a highly developed commercial sector using modern technology vs. a developing sector including emerging and smallholder farmers. Emerging farmers typically aim to join the commercial sector, but lag behind with regard to the use of modern genetic technologies, while smallholder farmers use traditional practices aimed at subsistence. Several factors influence potential application of genomics by the livestock industries, which include available research funding, socioeconomic constraints and extension services. State funded Beef and Dairy genomic programs have been established with the aim of building reference populations for genomic selection with most of the potential beneficiaries in the well-developed commercial sector. The structure of the beef, dairy and small stock industries is fragmented and the outcomes of selection strategies are not perceived as an advantage by the processing industry or the consumer. The indigenous and local composites represent approximately 40% of the total beef and sheep populations and present valuable genetic resources. Genomic research has mostly provided insight on genetic biodiversity of these resources, with limited attention to novel phenotypes associated with adaptation or disease tolerance. Genetic improvement of livestock through genomic technology needs to address the role of adapted breeds in challenging environments, increasing reproductive and growth efficiency. National animal recording schemes contributed significantly to progress in the developed sector with regard to genetic evaluations and estimated breeding values (EBV) as a selection tool over the past three decades. The challenge remains on moving the focus to novel traits for increasing efficiency and addressing welfare and environmental issues. Genetic research programs are required that will be directed to bridge the gap between the elite breeders and the developing livestock sector. The aim of this review was to provide a perspective on the dichotomy in the South African livestock sector arguing that a realistic approach to the use of genomics in beef, dairy and small stock is required to ensure sustainable long term genetic progress.
Sustainability
Persistent food insecurity, along with climate change pressures, urges on the definition of suitable strategies to support the transformation of low-input livestock farming in developing countries. Advances in genomics and information technologies are valuable opportunities for achieving the required improvement, but their implementation implies access to technical and financial resources with appropriate adjustment in the local context. Addressing extensive cattle production in Benin, we focus on animal genetic resources (AnGR) and corresponding approaches aiming for a durable breeding improvement based on sustainable management strategies. Specifically, smallholder breeding goals are revised, and novel strategies for proper organization, sound data collection, and scientific investigations are explored. Further emphasis addresses the enhancement of farmer management practices, including valuable traditional knowledge; and breeding strategies to improve animal performances consider...
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2019
Indigenous livestock production is intertwined with the life style of Nigerians. The Nigerian livestock industry employs the bulk of the rural workforce , and indigenous livestock breeds are abundant in the industry. These breeds are distributed across the diverse agro-ecological production systems, and are carriers of unique and responsive genotypes shaped by the needs of their managers. Despite their unique features, most indigenous livestock breeds are characteristically low in production and productivity. Improvement of these breeds represents a logical starting point for improving food security and agricultural productivity in Nigeria. To better understand natural genetic variation in these indigenous livestock breeds and strategies for improvement, better genetic characterization is required. Molecular assisted selection (MAS) will be valuable in the pursuit of selection for increased production, but the application of MAS to livestock improvement is constrained by a variety of limitations. The focus of this paper is to elucidate the potential of MAS as a tool for genetic improvement of indigenous livestock, to identify constraints and challenges in MAS implementation and propose solutions to increasing MAS feasibility in pursuit of improved food security and sustainability in Nigeria.
Issues and concerns in smallholder livestock genetic improvement programs in Africa
Scientific Journal of Animal Science, 2014
Improvement of smallholder livestock genetic resources is of vital importance to agriculture, food production, rural development and the environment on the African continent. Inconclusive considerable debate on smallholder livestock improvement strategies and utilization of local livestock genetic resources has been going on since the past two decades. This has been necessitated by the realization of the need to reduce poverty and enhance food security and produce more animal products to feed the ever increasing national populations in Africa, which seen more compelling than ever. It has been acknowledged that partly the overall continental increase in livestock productivity can be achieved through appropriate and support of the smallholder livestock improvement programs. It is believed that within the smallholder livestock production systems which is characterized by a generally low input-output system, the sustainability of animal breeding efforts to improve animal productivity becomes a dominant factor. Smallholder livestock improvement is not achieving the expected increase in livestock productivity to meet the growing demand for animal products for several reasons, including poor infrastructure, investment environment, financial resources and lack of local expertise and scientific research in addition to poor livestock support services. There is perceived need for improved livestock production in the smallholder areas, however livestock productivity has remained very low, but indigenous livestock are numerous which makes them attractive as potential tool for poverty reduction and improvement of family food security and livelihoods in smallholder farming in Africa. Changes in the demand for livestock products will be largely be driven by human population growth, income growth and urbanization, however the production response in different livestock production systems to meet this demand will be associated with livestock improvement thrust which take into account the modern science and technology in livestock improvement. This discussion attempts a rapid summary of some issues and concerns perceived important in promoting smallholder livestock improvement programs, in relation to recent and previous outcomes, coupled with a brief assessment of some of the challenges faced in implementation of smallholder livestock improvement programs. Some of the challenges and opportunities such as unfavorable livestock policies, dilapidated infrastructure and limited livestock research and characterization of local livestock populations are highlighted. Genetic improvement of livestock indigenous to Africa for targeted performance characteristics of economic benefit for smallholder farmers is necessary for effective selection for both use in straight breeding and crossbreeding. In future, livestock improvement programs are likely to be increasingly characterized by differences between developed and developing countries, and between highly intensive production systems on the one hand and smallholder livestock production on the other hand. How smallholder livestock improvement programs will be implemented in the coming decades is highly uncertain, however, of the many uncertainties, one seem over-arching. Can future demand for livestock products be met through sustainable intensification of smallholder livestock improvement programs on the African continent? With the right institutional and financial arrangements, government, research institutions and donor agencies support can assist in successful implementation of smallholder livestock improvement programs on the continent, improving the capacity of smallholder livestock resource poor farmers to contribute significantly to individual national economies.
Genetic Improvement of Local Cattle Breeds in West Africa: A Review of Breeding Programs
Sustainability
Cattle are one of the most important livestock species in West Africa, providing multiple services to farmers and contributing to national economies. Various breeding strategies have been implemented to enhance their productivity and have improved farmer livelihoods. This review describes cattle breeding experiences across West Africa, spanning the N’Dama breed in Mali, Senegal, and The Gambia to the breeds Azawak Zebu, Fulani Zebu, and taurine Baoulé in Burkina Faso. The main objectives of most breeding programs have been to optimize meat and milk performance of taurine and Zebu cattle as well as trypanotolerance of taurine cattle. In some cases, “closed nucleus” schemes have proven limited and so have evolved into “open nucleus” schemes. Recent community-based breeding programs have shown promise. The major challenges of breeding programs remain defining realistic breeding objectives and securing the involvement of stakeholders. All the strategies reviewed here have been funded ex...